 December 23, 2005 -
Tryouts a Success, BlueCats Sign Four
The Evansville BlueCats are pleased to announce that the team has signed four players from the December tryouts. The group includes four versatile players with a variety of college and professional playing experience. The four consist of one rookie and three returning veterans from the 2003 and 2005 teams.
Evansville BlueCats Head Coach John Hart said, “We were really pleased with the talent level that we’re seeing at the tryouts. We’ve signed four outstanding players from the tryouts and we’re really exciting about what these guys can bring to our team. We’re already looking forward to the next round of tryouts in February and hope to discover some more talent there.”
The four players include 6’3” 215 lbs. Running Back/Wide Receiver Levron Williams, 5’10” 200 lbs. Defensive Back Tarron Acuff, 6’3” 255 lbs. Fullback/Linebacker Casey Sellers, and 6’2” 290 lbs. Offensive and Defensive lineman Damien Black.
Levron Williams
Former All-Big Ten running back Levron Williams will return to play for the Evansville BlueCats in 2006. Williams is originally from Evansville and played for Bosse High School before his outstanding college career at Indiana University. During his time as a Hoosier, Williams left his mark on the IU football record book.
Some of Levron’s Indiana University school records
2nd in Career All-Purpose Yards (4,700 yards)
2nd Best Single Game Rushing Yards (280 yards at Wisconsin, 10/6/2001)
3rd in Career Touchdowns (31 rush, 7 rec., 38 total)
3rd Best Single Season All-Purpose Yards (1401 rush, 289 rec., 511 kick return)
3rd Best Single Season Touchdowns (19 touchdowns in 2001, most since 1989)
5th in Career Rushing (3,095 yards, 6.8 average per attempt)
5th Best Single Season Rushing (1401 yards in 2001)
6th in Career Scoring (230 points = 38 touchdowns, one 2-point conversion)
Record for most touchdowns in a single game (6, at Wisconsin, 10/6/2001)
Rushed for over 100 yards in 14 games
In 1999 and 2001, Williams led the Hoosiers in rushing and all-purpose yards. In 2001, he also led the team in receiving yards, kick return yards, and scoring.
During his senior season in 2001, Williams was named Team Co-MVP and he earned a place on the All-Big Ten squad. He ran for 1401 yards on 212 attempts for 17 touchdowns, caught 26 passes for 289 yards and 2 more touchdowns. He also returned 21 kickoffs for a team high 511 yards, giving him 2201 all-purpose yards in 2001, the third best single season total in school history.
His 2001 season featured rushing performances of 280 yards (at Wisconsin) and 251 yards (at Michigan State), the 2nd and 4th best single game rushing totals ever at IU. He also has the 6th best game with 241 yards vs. Northwestern in 1999. The 2001 game at Michigan State with 299 all-purpose yards, which is the 4th best single game performance in IU history.
He shared the backfield at IU with two current NFL players, fullback Jeremi Johnson currently of the Cincinnati Bengals, and college football legend Antwaan Randle El, currently with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
During his career at IU, Williams rushed for 3,095 yards on 452 carriers and 31 touchdowns, averaging 6.8 yards per carry over his four-year career.
After his college days, he was released by the San Diego Chargers before playing for the BlueCats in 2003. He led the team with 21 touchdowns and holds BlueCats team records for most TD receptions in a game (4) and longest touchdown reception (44 yards). He ran the ball 85 times for 261 yards and 12 TD, and had 30 receptions for 354 yards and 9 touchdowns. He also played for Calgary Stampeders in the CFL.
Tarron Acuff
Also signing with the BlueCats is defensive back Tarron Acuff. Acuff is originally from nearby Mount Vernon, Indiana. Acuff was a multi-sport athlete in high school earning All-Big 8 Conference honors 2 years in football, 2 years in baseball and 1 year in basketball. He was team MVP for 2 seasons in football and 1 year for baseball. In 1998 he led the state of Indiana in stolen bases and played in the North-South baseball All-Star game. He went on to play football and baseball at the University of Indianapolis earning All-Conference honors at the collegiate level in both sports, including being named an All-American in baseball. He played in the Division 2 World Series and briefly played professionally with the Evansville Otters and Mid-Missouri Mavericks.
Acuff returns for second season with BlueCats and holds the team record longest fumble return in team history, returning a fumble 30 yards last season against Tennessee Valley. In 2005, Acuff recorded 20.5 tackles, had 7 pass break ups, and one interception.
Casey Sellers
The BlueCats signed fullback/linebacker Casey Sellers. Originally from Evansville, Casey played running back, fullback, and linebacker for North High School. He was a team captain at North for 3 years, named Offensive Team MVP during his junior and senior year, and Team MVP his senior year. During his junior season in 1995, Sellers and the North Huskies had an undefeated regular season and went all the way to the Indiana 5A State Championship game before falling to Penn at the RCA Dome. The team ended the season with a record of 13-1.
Sellers played tight end and defensive end at Indiana University for 3 years, earning a letter in 2000, and then played fullback and linebacker for one year at Alabama State in 2001. The 2001 Alabama State won the SWAC East Division before being defeated by Grambling in the SWAC Championship game.
Sellers played for the Evansville BlueCats during their inaugural season in 2003, scoring 5 rushing touchdowns, 2 receiving touchdowns, and one two-point conversion. He also recorded 26 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss. Sellers played for the San Angelo Stampede in 2004.
Damien Black
The BlueCats welcome newcomer Damien Black who will make his professional football debut with the team in 2006. Black is originally from Rosedale, Indiana, and attended Riverton Parke High School and Indiana State University. Damien earned varsity letters in football, baseball, golf, and track at Riverton Parke. He was a 3 year starter on the football team, team captain for 2 years, and earned All-Conference and All-State honorable mention his senior year. He holds the school record for most tackles in a game by a defensive lineman with 23.
Black was a versatile player in high school and college. He played as an offensive and defensive lineman at Indiana State from 2001-2005. Black saw time on both the offensive and defensive line for the Sycamores, and was the backup long snapper.
He’s currently in graduate school at Indiana State working on his Masters degree in Criminology.
Damien Black said, “I’m really excited about playing for Evansville, I can’t wait to get down there. I just want to help out the team however I can.”
The next open tryout for the Evansville BlueCats will be on Sunday, February 12th, at Metro Sports Center in Evansville. Registration will begin at 9am with drills and evaluations taking place from 10am-Noon.
Season tickets for the Evansville BlueCats 2006 season are on sale now. Stop by the office or call the season ticket hotline at 812-437-CATS (437-2287) for ticket information. The first 500 fans to buy season tickets or field level boxes for the upcoming indoor football season will receive a free Evansville BlueCats Football t-shirt. For more information on the Evansville BlueCats, season tickets, and the open tryouts please visit the website at www.evansvillebluecats.com.
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